The 17 Best Things To Do In Cary, North Carolina

If you’re at all familiar with the state of North Carolina, then you’ve likely heard of the Research Triangle, a colloquial name that refers to the region bound by three cities (all within roughly 35 miles of each other) that are each home to a major research university. There’s North Carolina State University in Raleigh, Duke in Durham, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill. Partly because of the vibrant student and faculty populations—plus the bright alumni who stick around after graduation—these cities have become major cultural hubs for everything from art to music to dining, and they’re continuing to grow each year.

As folks flock to the area, some of that energy has spilled over into neighboring communities, and over the past few years, Cary (once a small suburb of Raleigh) has blossomed into a coveted destination in its own right. Home to dozens of wonderful local restaurants, great shopping, unique stays, and a thriving art and culture scene, Cary is making the case that there has never been a better time to do a little further digging into the state’s famed Research Triangle.

Embrace the Thriving Arts & Culture Scene

Listen to Live Music at The Koka Booth Amphitheare

This outdoor music venue has welcomed the likes of artists like Chris Stapleton, John Mayer, Darius Rucker, and the Alabama Shakes. Its location surrounded by majestic pine trees alongside Symphony Lake gives every show there that little special something. Visit from November to January to see the famed North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, where the grounds of the venue are transformed into a glowing wonderland of larger-than-life silk sculpture lanterns.

Experience the Arts at the Cary Arts Center

The Cary Arts Center has had a long history, starting with its former life as a high school created by the town’s founder in the 1870s. Today the multipurpose complex not only holds a 431-seat theater for local theater performances, but it also hosts gallery exhibitions, studio programs, art classes and camps, and concerts.

Visit the Page-Walker Arts and History Center

The former Page-Walker Hotel, a building in the French Second Empire style on the National Register of Historic Places, is a hub for the community. Not only does it house the Cary Heritage Museum on its third floor, where you can take a self-guided tour to learn all about the history of the town, but it also features two outdoor gardens.

See a Show at the Cary Theater

Located in the heart of downtown, The Cary Theater was once home to the town’s first indoor movie theater. Since opening in 1946, it’s also been a clothing store, a recording studio, and an auto parts store. Today, it’s returned to its roots as a 175-seat art house theater with a packed calendar of independent film screenings, local film festivals, live music, classic cinema screenings, and comedy performances.

Mark Your Calendar for a Festival

There’s always something special happening in Cary, so time your trip around one of the city’s many festivals. Late April brings the Spring Daze Arts & Craft Festival, where more than 170 local artists come together for a giant market, plus food, drinks, and interactive arts experiences. August brings a larger version of Spring Daze in the form of Lazy Daze, which includes the works of 300 artists from 16 states. Other major events include celebrations for Diwali and Kwanzaa in October and December, respectively, as well as the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival.

Pick Your Home Away From Home

Book a Luxurious Retreat

Set near a pond on beautifully wooded grounds, the Umstead Hotel & Spa is the ideal spot to come home to after a full day exploring the city. Its tranquil setting is accentuated by luxury suites and rooms with gorgeous views of the surrounding forests, a world-class spa complete with outdoor soaking tubs, and excellent dining options. Watch chefs expertly prepare your dinner at Herons, or make a reservation for afternoon tea featuring a live harpist in the lounge.

Stay at The Mayton

If you want to stay in the center of the action, reserve a room at The Mayton boutique hotel. The Georgian-style hotel is situated in the center of downtown, so you can visit restaurants, breweries, and shops, then walk home when you’re ready to hit the hay. The inn is beautifully appointed and also features on-site restaurant Peck & Plume.

Eat Delicious Food

Linger at a European Café

Ask anyone where to eat in Cary, and nine times out of 10, they’ll direct you to La Farm Bakery. The European-style café and bakery, owned by Master Baker Lionel Vatinet and his wife Missy, has led the food scene in Cary for almost 25 years. The modern bakery and café (with three locations) utilizes centuries-old baking techniques for the perfect blend of old and new. Grab a fresh fruit tart, cinnamon bun, or almond croissant from the bakery, or sit down for a meal in their café’s expansive courtyard that is often filled for weekend brunch. The Quiche Lorraine or Croque Madam both give the perfect French boulangerie experience.

Go Out for a Brew

Asheville is famous for its craft beer scene, but it’s not the only North Carolina city that cranks out great brews. If you’ve got a hankering for a cold IPA or fruity sour, head to Bond Brothers Beer Co. or Fortnight Brewing Company. Order a flight and rank your favorites.  

Make Dinner Plans

When supper time rolls around, head to neighborhood restaurant Hank’s Downtown Dive where you can expect creative, flavorful, chef-driven eats and a well-stocked bar. The menu changes seasonally, but expect fresh small plates like mango salad with avocado, muscadine, chili crisp, and peanuts or shishito peppers with trout roe, sorghum vinaigrette, and hazelnut. The gluten-free fried chicken with ancho chili-garlic-honey glaze is also a standout.  

Get a Bagel at Big Dom’s

Give your day a sunny start by treating yourself to a bagel from Big Dom’s. The popular breakfast spot makes Montreal-style bagels, which means they’re similar to a classic New York-style boiled bagels, only crisper and with a slightly sweet bite thanks to being poached in brown sugar water. Order a stacked-high breakfast sandwich, and grab a specialty cake B’donut for good measure.

Savor a Scoop

The super-premium, small-batch ice cream at Andia’s is 100 percent something to write home about. The Xouris family’s ice cream shops (two in Cary and a third in Raleigh) are doing something truly special with ultra-creamy ice cream in a multitude of creative flavors. Their signature baklava flavor features giant chunks of the traditional Greek dessert. Other standouts include ube, peanut butter fudge, and rose pistachio. Each month, the shops rolls out six limited-time seasonal flavors, so there’s always something new to obsess over.

Explore More of the City

See a Soccer Game

If you’ve got sports fans on your trip, or maybe you just want to spend your day like a local, head to WakeMed Soccer Park to catch North Carolina FC or NC Courage in action. Both the men's USL and women's NWSL teams play from March through October, so there are plenty of opportunities to root for the (home away from) home team.

Explore Fenton

New things are popping up in Cary every day, and one of the latest is Fenton, a mixed-use development that’s a one-stop shop for everything from dining and drinking to entertainment and shopping. Expect live music programming in the summer and an ice-skating rink in the winter. Year-round options include a rooftop bar, movie theater, bull-riding bar, and a sports bar stocked with ping pong tables, air hockey, skeeball, and a golf simulator.

Take a Walk In Downtown Cary Park

Speaking of new attractions, the long-awaited Downtown Cary Park is set to officially open with a big party in mid-November. The 7-acre park, which has been in the works for more than two decades, features several public art installations, Academy Pavilion (where you’ll find a market, restrooms, and an event space), a dog park, a performance pavilion, a botanical garden, a giant playground and splashpad, and a striking elevated walkway that sits at eye-level with the tree canopy.

Prepare Your Pack For Outdoor Adventure

Wander Through Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve

Find three miles of family friendly nature trails at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve. In addition to seeing the namesake Eastern Hemlock trees, this is also a great place to spot birds and other wildlife, as well as take in scenic views from several overlook points. Don’t forget to stop into the Stevens Nature Center to get some background on the Piedmont region through exhibits focused on both its history and natural environment.

Spend the Afternoon at Fred G. Bond Metro Park

One of Cary’s most frequented gathering places, Bond Park offers so much to do that you could easily while away an afternoon—or much longer—there. Take a leisurely stroll around Bond Lake, or head to the boathouse to rent a kayak, canoe, or pedal boat. Inside, you’ll also find refreshments, cane poles, and bait so you can set up for a day of fishing. Other park amenities include a ropes course, playground, amphitheater, baseball fields, and several trails.

For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living.